With the injury to Chris Weidman scuttling the initial plans for UFC 173, the Zuffa brass were left scrambling to find a main event to replace “The All-American’s” derailed defense against Lyoto Machida. Now, they have found their champion and challenger, in bantamweight kingpin Renan Barao and young gun challenger TJ Dillashaw.
Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter was first to report the news, receiving confirmation from unnamed sources within the UFC earlier tonight.
UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao (32-1, 1 N/C) is riding high after succesfully defending his belt 3 times, whether as interim or undisputed champion. Last seen defeating the Alpha of Team Alpha Male, Urijah Faber, a second time in order to retain his title at UFC 169 back in February, the relentless Brazilian finishing machine is looking to continue his run of dominance in the division. Will he be able to defeat Dillashaw at UFC 173 and come one step closer to cleaning out the 135 lbs. division?
TJ Dillishaw (9-2) may not have won the six figure contract at the end of TUF 14, but it can be said that he has been the most successful of all that season’s castmembers. After a decision victory over Mike Easton at UFC Fight Night 35, the young Team Alpha Male member has now been given the task of getting a title fight victory over a member of the vaunted Nova Uniao camp – something none of his teammates have been able to accomplish. Will he finally be able to bring home the gold with a victory over Barao at UFC 173?
UFC 173 goes down on May 24th from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The main event is now a continuation of the Quiet War between the Nova Uniao and Team Alpha Male camps, as Renan Barao will defend his UFC Bantamweight Title against T.J. Dillashaw. Stay tuned to MMASucka for more on this and other events.
